New here. Hashimotos and cholesterol.

[LukeFitz]

Hi everyone, I'm Luke, brand new to this lovely group. I'm 39. Diagnosed with hashimotos in 2019. Taking levo since then.

I don't drink alcohol, eat dairy, or eat much red meat. My diet is healthy. Still, my LDL cholesterol is 4.8, should be 3. GP is suggesting to start be on statins.

I have read about cholesterol issues caused by hashimotos - is there anything else I can to try to lower my cholesterol before going on statins?

Any advice or direction would be greatly appreciated! 🙏🏼

[greygoose]

Cholesterol levels have nothing to do with diet - healthy or otherwise. It's made in the liver and the liver keeps levels balanced by making less the more you eat and more the less you eat.

But, when T3 is low - as it is with hypothyroidism, not just Hashi's - the body cannot process cholesterol correctly and it builds up in the blood.

However, that is not the problem doctors make it out to be (they only get their informations from Big Pharma sales reps who want to sell statins!) it doesn't cause heart attacks or strokes. In fact, people with higher levels of cholesterol are said to live longer.

So, don't take statins, get your FT3 tested and then work on getting it optimised.

[LukeFitz in reply to greygoose]

Thank you for replying and helping me out.

[greygoose in reply to LukeFitz]

You're welcome.

[Sparklingsunshine]

Statins aren't normally endorsed on here, too many members have had adverse effects on them. Your cholesterol isnt that high. Doctors are trying to get everyone on statins, but personally I'd be wary. The side effects can be very unpleasant. Do your own research before taking the plunge.

[LukeFitz in reply to Sparklingsunshine]

Thank you

[SlowDragon Administrator]

what are your most recent thyroid and vitamin results

What dose Levo are you taking

What vitamins

As you have Hashimoto’s, are you on strictly gluten free and/or dairy free diet

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested

Also both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once

Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum

About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease, usually diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies

Autoimmune thyroid disease with goitre is Hashimoto’s

Autoimmune thyroid disease without goitre is Ord’s thyroiditis.

Both are autoimmune and generally called Hashimoto’s.

Low vitamin levels are extremely common when hypothyroid, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease

In U.K. medics hardly ever refer to autoimmune thyroid disease as Hashimoto’s (or Ord’s thyroiditis)

Recommended that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am, only drink water between waking and test and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins

Testing options and includes money off codes for private testing

thyroiduk.org/testing/

Medichecks Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning.

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/testing/thyro...

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

Symptoms of hypothyroidism

thyroiduk.org/signs-and-sym...

Tips on how to do DIY finger prick test

support.medichecks.com/hc/e...

Medichecks and BH also offer private blood draw at clinic near you, or private nurse to your own home…..for an extra fee

Monitor My Health also now offer thyroid and vitamin testing, plus cholesterol and HBA1C for £65

(Doesn’t include thyroid antibodies)

monitormyhealth.org.uk/full...

10% off code here

thyroiduk.org/testing/priva...

[FallingInReverse]

hi LukeFitz

Just a reply to share my experience. My cholesterol creeped up over the few years before hashis diagnosis, and once on Levo and free Ts started improving, the cholesterol has creeped down. No statins needed. No diet changes. It was just the thyroid issues.

[Brightness14]

My Cholesterol is low I take natural Hawthorn Extract. This has been used for over 100 years and is still used by GP's in Germany instead of medications. It also lowers BP and Heart rate so if you are taking anything for that, watch out. I started taking it last year as my BP was rising, anyway also to my surprise it lowered my Cholesterol too.